H.C.R. 7

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING
2 COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings
6 Senate Sponsor: Karen Mayne
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor designates March 2008
11 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . designates March 2008 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the state of Utah;
15 and
16 . urges Utahns to recognize the importance of colon cancer screening and early
17 detection in fighting the deadly disease.
18 Special Clauses:
19 None
20
21 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
22 WHEREAS, in the United States, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of
23 cancer deaths in both men and women;
24 WHEREAS, it is estimated that in 2008 over 153,000 new cases of colorectal cancer
25 will be diagnosed in the United States;
26 WHEREAS, in 2008, the disease is expected to kill nearly 59,000 individuals in this
27 country;

28 WHEREAS, in 2007, there were approximately 740 new colorectal cancer cases
29 diagnosed in Utah;
30 WHEREAS, screening for colorectal cancer is underutilized, and less than 50% of
31 individuals over the age of 50 receive annual screenings for colorectal cancer;
32 WHEREAS, regular screenings can save lives by detecting polyps that lead to
33 colorectal cancer;
34 WHEREAS, the benefits of detecting colorectal cancer early are dramatic, with a
35 five-year survival rate of 90% when it is found at an early stage and a 66% survival rate when it
36 has spread only to nearby organs or lymph nodes;
37 WHEREAS, currently, only 41% of colon cancers are found at the earliest and most
38 treatable stages and the five-year survival rate is less than 10% when found at later stages;
39 WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society is taking a leadership role in educating the
40 public on the methods of preventing colon cancer and symptoms for its early detection; and
41 WHEREAS, state and federal governments have a leadership role to play in fighting
42 colon cancer through public education and improved awareness of early detection through
43 screening:
44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
45 Governor concurring therein, designate March 2008 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in
46 the state of Utah and urge all citizens to recognize the importance of colon cancer screening
47 and early detection in fighting this deadly disease.
48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the American
49 Cancer Society Utah Division Inc. and to the Utah Department of Health.





Legislative Review Note
as of 1-31-08 2:00 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel